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Applied Linguistics

Meifang Zhuo

Hello! I am currently doing my PhD (2021-) at the Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Warwick. My main research interests include teacher research, teacher development, teacher psychology and wellbeing, innovation in English language teaching and learning as well as language management. My PhD research project is supervised by Professor Annamaria PinterLink opens in a new window and Professor Neil MurrayLink opens in a new window.

I have worked in English language teaching since 2010, teaching in a variety of contexts in China, including public high schools, language training centres and a college. In addition to this, I have worked as a freelance interpreter and translator (English-Chinese) for conferences, publications, and various business settings.

Currently, I am contributing to the teaching of the MA TESOL programme (including dissertation supervision), PhD Research Method module, and short courses in Applied linguistics at the University of Warwick. Recently, I also joined the team of dissertation supervisors for the MA TESOL and TESOL Studies programmes in School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of LeedsLink opens in a new window.

I have obtained the status of Associate Fellow of the HEA (AFHEA) and have been offered the role of PGR Teacher ChampionLink opens in a new window for WPTC in the Warwick Organizational Development department.

I have been selected to become a Fellow of the Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA).Link opens in a new window

Current Research

For my PhD study, it aims to explore the impacts and implications of a proposed teacher research project (a combination of workshops and mentoring sessions) for teacher development for research literate experienced high school English teachers in China. The goal of such a proposal is to guide and support teachers to do research in their own classrooms, to promote their professional development and to ultimately enhance the quality of life in the classroom and teacher wellbeing.

Academic Background
  • 2021- PhD in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching (expected to finish in 2025), University of Warwick, UK
    • With full scholarship
  • 2019-2020 MA TESOL- Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Distinction), University of Warwick, UK
    • With Bursary
Publications

Articles

Zhuo, M. (2024). “I feel my inner child out”: Zine-making as a data collection tool in narrative inquiry. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. 3(3). Article 100131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2024.100131

Zhuo, M., & Tang, H. (2024). Understanding students’ English-speaking difficulties: An Exploratory Practice approach with Web 2.0. RELC Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00336882241253

Zhuo, M. (2024). Language choices in post-observation conferences: L1 or L2, that's the question. TESOL Journal, 15(3). e816. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.816.

Zhuo, M., & Li, Y. (2024). Harnessing the power of peer dialogue to support GTAs’ professional development: Two reflective stories. Journal of PGR Pedagogic Practice. 4, 136-158. https://doi.org/10.31273/jppp.vol4.2024.1792Link opens in a new window

Zhuo, M., Read, A., Ajmal, I., Dar, F., Li, Y., Wang, Y., & Affejee. Y. (2024). Editorial: “GTAs’ (Re/De) Constructing the Learning and Teaching Space Piece By Piece”. Journal of PGR Pedagogic Practice. 4, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.31273/jppp.vol4.2024.1786Link opens in a new window 

Zhuo, M. (2024). IATEFL 2023 ReSIG Pre-Conference Event: a reflective reportLink opens in a new window. ELT Research: IATEFL Research SIG Newsletter. 39, 1-3.

Zhuo, M., & Huang, J. (2024). Using exploratory practice to teach: An innovative way to explore students' speaking difficulties. TESOL Journal, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.746

Zhuo, M. (2023). How to communicate as a mentorLink opens in a new window. Modern English Teacher, 32(3), 79-81.

Zhuo, M. (2023). Literature circles: fun, creative and meaningfulLink opens in a new window. Modern English Teacher, 32(5), 79-81.

Zhuo, M. (2013). A theoretical perspective: the application of advertising principles in foreign language education. Journal of Jixi University, 13(8), 94-95. https://doi.org/10.16792/j.cnki.1672-6758.2013.08.040

Book chapters

Zhuo, M., Webb, K., & Mann, S. [forthcoming]. New trends in ELT teacher education.

Zhuo, M. (2023). Mentoring experienced in-service high school English teachers' action research: case studies from ChinaLink opens in a new window. In M.N. Güngör (ed.), Action research in language teaching and teacher education: voices from diverse contexts (pp. 41-66). Blackswan.

Zhuo, M. (2024). [forthcoming]. How I sustained teachers’ motivation and engagement in a long-term teacher research program. In Stories of Mentoring Teacher-Research. IATEFL ReSIG.

Book Reviews

Zhuo, M. (2024). Review of Pinter (2023): Engaging children in applied linguistics research. Language Teaching for Young Learners. https://doi.org/10.1075/ltyl.00051.zhuLink opens in a new window

Zhuo, M. (2023). Decentring ELT: practices and possibilities. ELTED Journal, 26. http://www.elted.net/uploads/7/3/1/6/7316005/002_meifang__final.pdfLink opens in a new window

Zhuo, M. (2022). A language management approach to language problems. Current Issues in Language Planning, 23(3), 343-345. https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2022.2055935Link opens in a new window

Commissioned reports

Professional development materials

  • Wang, Yvette Yitong, Meifang Zhuo, Maricarmen Gamero Mujica, Xiaofang Lu, Annamaria Pinter and Steve Mann (2023) PLC guideLink opens in a new window. Report to the British Council (Companion volume). Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick.
  • Zhuo, Meifang, Zheng Chen, Sundeep Dhillon, Fei Ji, Ana Sepulveda Poblete, Anthony J. Liddicoat, Neil Murray, Penny Mosavian, Steve Mann, Anna Maria Pinter (2023) Teachers guide: Foundations in teaching EnglishLink opens in a new window. Report to the British Council (Companion volume). Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick.
Research projects
  • Project assistant for ‘Developing EFL teacher agency and wellbeing in Global South public education via mapping, expansion and enhancement of teacher-research mentoring’ (ESRC / University of Warwick Impact Acceleration Award), led by Prof. Richard Smith, Warwick Center for Applied Linguistics, May 2024- July 2025 (ongoing)
  • Research assistant for 'Supporting Sustainable English Teacher Professional Development in Yunnan Province', funded by British Council (China), led by Prof. Tony Liddicoat, Warwick Center for Applied Linguistics, April 2022- April 2023 (completed)
  • Project Officer for ‘Peer Learning: recognising, training and rewarding peer-to-peer mentors at WarwickLink opens in a new window’ project funded by WIHEA. Hired by Warwick Philosophy, 30 May 2022- 31 July 2022. (completed)
Conference Presentations
  • the 4th International Conference 'Language in the Human-Machine Era' 'Exploring the dark side of future language technologies: Linguistic (in)security, ethics, and privacy in the Human-Machine era', 2-3 September 2024, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (Presented in Person)
    • Entering the dragons’ den: Pedagogical and Ethical Challenges of language education in the Human-Machine Era
  • the 57th Annual Conference of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL), the 5th- 7th September 2024, University of Essex, the UK (Abstract accepted for presentation.)
    • Exploratory Practice for promoting social justice in language education: two examples from China
  • International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) International Conference, 18 April 2024, Brighton, the UK (Presented in person)
    • Mentoring experienced in-service high school English teachers’ action research
  • the IATEFL online event: Stories of Mentoring Teacher-Research, 17th June 2023 (presented online)

    • How to sustain teachers’ motivation and engagement in a long-term teacher-research program?

    • Three minutes of fame?: Should teachers be introduced to international publications and conferences before the completion of a long term teacher-research program?

  • International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) International Conference, Research SIG Showcase Day, 20 April 2023, Harrogate, the UK (presented in person)
    • Veteran Teachers’ research engagement: perspectives from China
  • International Conference on Language Teacher Psychology, 1st Language Teacher Psychology Conference on Teachers Matter (LTPC2022), 6-7 October 2022, Çağ University, Mersin, Turkey (abstract accepted for presentation)
    • Towards resilience? Exploring Chinese high school English teachers’ perceptions and reflections on the impact of COVID-19
  • Second Language Teacher Education: Challenges and New Horizons, 15-17 September 2022, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (Presented in person)
    • Getting everyone involved and everyone entertained: a literature journey with Literature Circles for students and teachers in senior high schools in China
  • 24th Warwick International Conference in Applied Linguistics (WICAL 2022), 28-30 June, University of Warwick, UK (Presented online)
    • A teacher research project for research literate high school English teachers in China: impacts and implications
  • Linguistics and English Language Postgraduate Conference 2022(LELPGC22), 6-8 June, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK (Presented in Person)
    • The efficacy of the Single Point Rubric on teaching and learning continuation writing skills in senior high schools in China: an experimental study
Teaching and teaching related activities
  • Guest Lecturer for PhD Research Methods Seminar on Classroom Research, Applied Linguistics (2023-2024)
  • Tutor for English Immersion Programme for Hong Kong University PGCE 2023 students (Warwick Short Courses, Applied Linguistics)
  • Tutor for English for Global Communication (EGC) Summer School 2023 (Warwick Short Courses, Applied Linguistics)
  • Research Superviser for Master Dissertation (MA TESOL, Applied Linguistics) (2022-2023)(2023-2024)
  • Senior GTA for MA TESOL core module ET9B6 Research methods in TESOL(2022-2023)(2023-2024)
  • Senior GTA for MA TESOL core module ET9B7 SLA Insights for TESOL Practice(2022-2023) (2023-2024)
  • Senior GTA for MA TESOL Practice Assignment (2022-2023)
  • Tutor for the Research Methods Workshop delivered to the PGT students of the department (MA TESOL, 2021-2022); (Msc in Intercultural Communication for Business and Professionals, 2022-2023)
Professional Activities
  • Library student Partner (providing support for library events, including Research Refresh, PG Tips, helpdesk cover, open day events (2024-ongoing)
Professional association
Award & Grants
Non-academic activities

Meifang Zhuo

meifang.zhuo@warwick.ac.uk

LinkedIn: Meifang ZhuoLink opens in a new window